China detains yet another Tibetan writer for writing against repression

Chinese authorities have detained yet another Tibetan writer who is also a monk in Ngaba area in present-day Ngaba (Ch: Aba) Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, in Tibetan province of Amdo.

Lomik, 27, was detained around 11. 30 pm on 12 April 2015. Lomik’s detention followed the detention of another well-known Tibetan writer Shok-jang on 16 March 2015. Like Shokjang, Lomik is being held at an undisclosed location.

Due to the incommunicado detention of Lomik, there is no information on the exact charges leveled against the writer. However, soon after his detention, some 20 Tibetan writers jointly authored an article on Lomik. The contents of this article suggest that Lomik was very likely detained for writing essays about the “suppression of freedom of expression, destruction of Tibetan environment, 2008 Tibetan uprising, self-immolation protests” and for participating in a panel discussion on issues affecting Tibetans.

In 2010, Lomik wrote a book called The Yellow Fog that was published from Xining. He also contributed articles to popular Tibetan language websites in Tibet such as Chomei, Sangdhor, and Tso Ngon. Recently he has authored articles with candid titles such as Story Shackled By Iron Chains, Weapons Target Writers of Ngaba, and Until I Die, I Will Express My Views.

Along with writers such as Gosher, Sengdor, Gurung Pundrol and Shokjang, Lomik participated in a number of panel discussions such as Siling Zsa Nyimei Khadha (‘Xining Sunday Debate’) at the QinghaiNationalities University, a minority nationalities’ university in Xining. In Ngaba, he organized public debates on topics such as “Revisiting Dondrup Gyal,” and “Sunday Discussions”. In his hometown of Meuruma, he organized a public debate on the subject “Denial of Free Expression.” Lomik was able to encourage many Tibetan youngsters through these debates.

Lomik was born in Jotsang Village in Meuruma Township in Ngaba County. Son of parents Jhodor and Zamkar, he became a monk at the age of six at the Kirti Monastery. While studying at the monastery’s Young Buddhist School, the Chinese government forcibly shut down the school, which hosted more than 700 students. Following the closure of this school, he studied Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan literature at Drango (Ch: Luhuo), Rebgong (Ch:Tongren ), Larung Gar Buddhist Institute and other branches of Kirti Monastery in Tibet.

Below is the English translation of two of Lomik’s writings which, among others, attracted the attention of the Chinese authorities:

A Story Shackled in Chains

by Lomik

Fifty years ago, on 15 August 1965, a brave man called Takna Jigmey Sangpo, his hands and feet shackled in chains, was imprisoned in a dark cell.

He suffered thirty-two years of imprisonment.

Not only he became Tibet’s longest serving [political] prisoner, he’s the longest serving prisoner in South-East Asia and the third longest serving prisoner in the world.

He launched many peaceful protests for truth and justice.

According to his biography, Experience of Life, and other works, Tibetans [have made many efforts] to highlight the cause of Tibet in the international community.

They have also exposed how Chinese government violates its own laws.

Similarly, twenty-one days ago, on 19 March 2012, my friend, who loved reading books and justice, was taken prisoner.

The condition of these individual Tibetans reflects that of the whole Tibetan population.

At present, the action of the Chinese government totally contradicts its own laws.

At present, we do not have freedom of expression. Not even a grain of it.

3.16*

by Lomik

If you were a Chinese

The soldiers carrying batons in the streets of Ngaba

Will not ask you to show your ID cards.

You won’t be frisked like [they frisked] me

Restricting my freedom of movement

Even making it extremely difficult to stay in a guesthouse

Frisking me over and again

If you were a Chinese

Even if you walk in the streets

Tibetan cadres won’t spy on you

[Like they did] by gazing at my face

Constantly spying on my movement

As decreed by the government

And [thus] getting themselves

Rewarded with promotions.

*On 16 March 2008, Chinese paramilitary police shot live ammunition into a crowd of few thousands Tibetan protesters in Ngaba. Among those dead was Lhundup Tso, a 16 year-old female student of Ngaba County Tibetan School. Since then, Tibetans in Ngaba have observed 16 March as an anniversary of the 2008 Uprising as well as a day of remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives in Ngaba.